Revised Ship Sewage Regs Adopted
Revised regulations for the prevention of pollution of the oceans by sewage from ships have been adopted by IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), which met for its 51st session from March 29 to April 2, 2004. The Committee also approved in principle the designation of three new Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs). Other important items on the agenda included follow-up to the adoption of the new Ballast Water Convention, air pollution and ship recycling. The revised MARPOL Annex IV containing regulations for the prevention of pollution by sewage from ships was formally adopted and is expected to enter into force on 1 August 2005.
Tests Prove CLT Prop Characteristics
The CLT propeller recently underwent real-world testing, which proved, according to its designer and manufacturer that the propeller can help to reduce or eliminate hull-induced vibrations and noise levels. Independent studies were conducted aboard Superfast Levante, which demonstrated that: the cavitation level developed on the CLT propeller blades is negligible from the ship's structural integrity point of view; vibration and noise levels are excellent in terms of comfort on board; and the contractual ship speed was much better than predicted. Superfast Levante is a 7,200 dwt RoRo cargo vessel delivered by Union Naval de Valencia (UNV) to Trasmediterranea, the major Spanish operator of RoRo vessels and ferries. The ship was ordered to operate between Cadiz and the Canary Isles.
